Close to the Border of Bhutan and Assam is the Madarihat town of Dooars. The town is in the Madarihat-Birpara block in the Alipurduar district.
It is situated on the outskirts of Jaldapara National Park, which is famous for Indian rhinoceros. This is one of the main tourist spots in North Bengal, surrounded by tea gardens, forests, hills, and small rivers, and also has a highly diverse population. Madarihat is also famous for its local wooden furniture.
Getting There:
Madarihat town is located right on National Highway 317 (previously NH31) and there is also a small rail station in town. So Madarihat is well connected by road and rail with the rest of Dooars.
The Vistadome Express, also known as the NJP Alipurduar tourist special train, has a stoppage at Madarihat. People travelling from NJP to Madarihat or returning from Madarihat to NJP may avail of this station. The other major rail station in the area is Alipurduar Junction is about 50 km from here and takes a little over an hour to reach. Most trains travelling to the east of India have a stoppage at Alipurduar.
If you are travelling by road, you will reach Madarihat from Siliguri in about 3 hours (125 km). There is a network of roads from Madarihat connecting all major tourist places of Dooars.
Attractions
Based in Madarihat, you may visit the forests of Jaldapara, Chilapata, the Bhutanese border town of Phuentsholing, the tribal village of Totopara, and the Buxa Tiger Reserve.
Jaldapara National Park: Jaldapara National Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Madarihat. The park is home to a wide variety of animals, including Indian rhinoceros, elephants, tigers, leopards, deer, and birds. Visitors can take jeep safaris or elephant rides through the park to see the animals in their natural habitat.
Jaldpapara Museum: The Jaldapara Museum is located in the WBTDC tourist lodge compound. The museum exhibits artefacts and photographs that showcase the forests, wildlife, history and culture of the region.
South Khairbari Nature Park: This is a haven for rescued and rehabilitated animals, and offers a unique opportunity to witness the harmony between humans and wildlife. As you explore the lush greenery, you'll encounter majestic Bengal tigers, playful leopards, and a variety of other indigenous species thriving in their natural habitats.
Torsa River: The Torsa River is a major river that flows through Madarihat. The river is popular for boating, fishing, and swimming.
Wooden furniture: Madarihat is famous for its wooden furniture. The furniture is made from locally grown wood and is known for its intricate carvings.
Activities
Elephant Safari: Elephant safari is by far the most popular tourist attraction and activity at Jaldapara.
Jeep Safari: Jeep safari is organised from the Safari booking office in the WBTDC tourist lodge.
Bird watching: Madarihat is home to a wide variety of birds, making it a great place for bird watching.
Nature photography: The natural beauty of Madarihat makes it a great place for nature photography.
Tasting local cuisine: Madarihat is home to a variety of restaurants serving local cuisine, such as Bengali and Assamese dishes. Visit the main market which is on a parallel road to the National Highway. There are several eateries in this area, popular among them include Annapurna Hotel.
Accommodation
There are a number of hotels and guesthouses in Madarihat to choose from. There are also a number of homestays in the local villages.
The most popular tourist accommodation is the West Bengal Tourism (WBTDC) owned and managed Madarihat Tourist Lodge. In recent years several private tourist accommodations have also come up in the vicinity. They are located about away from the center of the town mostly in and around the Madarihat Falakata road.
